in the darkness, until the gray light of dawn seep

e table. The water was cold. She took a sip, tr

e screen

ing piece of

ded: a high-resolution photo of Jordan at JFK ai

tectiveness and possessiveness. The headline read:

at he'd worn last night. The ai

e photo. She saw a unique and vintage

e's br

e slipped from her numb fingers and

through her stomach. She bent over, covered h

to calm down. She picked up her phone stiff

ythmic beeping in her ears was pure tortu

sn't Jordan's deep, familiar voice.

epiness. In the background, Shiara could faintly hea

ightning. "Where is Jordan?" she demanded, her

tural. "Jorden stayed up all night with me. He

et him answer the phone, Jasmine," she roared, h

essive. I was just too scared after my...outburst. Jordan was the on

hears Jordan's indistinc

ne said sweetly, her voice low

all e

. A wave of intense nausea washed ove

thing came out. Hot, silent tears streamed do

e. She looked up and saw her reflection in the mirror. Her s

liating, contractual, expedient marriage that lasted t

ust for thi

eded, replaced by a cold, sharp anger. She straighte

ws of soft cashmere dresses and "dignified wife" style

et resembled armor. She wore a p

ncealing the tear tracks at the corners o

b report out of her coat pocket, and stuffe

ome system. "Get the car ready," she commanded, her

he elevator, her high heels making a purposeful sound on the

he back seat of

looking straight ahead.